Ionia County Prosecutor Ron Schafer said a Belding Police officer was justified in the shooting of 55-year-old Bernard Rowley of Sidney after Rowley shot at officers Jan. 5.

The incident began at about 5:12 a.m., when an on-duty Belding Police officer heard a "popping noise" outside of the department, according to Belding Police Chief Dale Nelson. The officer exited the building and discovered a police car's side window had been shot. Upon seeing a suspicious vehicle, the officer followed the vehicle, a white van, through the city and called the Michigan State Police for assistance, he added.

He said a Michigan State Police trooper joined with the Belding Police officer at M-44 and Hawley Highway and the MSP trooper turned his emergency signals on. The suspect pulled to the side of the road, exited the vehicle with a weapon and fired at police. Nelson said the Belding Police officer returned fire and fatally shot Rowley. No officers were injured.

In a four-page report released Friday, Schafer said the officer acted in a legal manner when he used deadly force against Rowley.

According to the report, "a police officer may use deadly force when the officer reasonably believes he or she is in imminent danger of serious injury or death, or when the officer must defend the life of another in carrying out his or her duty to protect the public."

Because Rowley did not respond to police commands, shot at officers first and damaged the vehicle of the MSP trooper, the Belding Police officer's actions were legal and necessary to protect his own life and the life of others, the report said.

Schafer said there was no question the officer was defending himself and the MSP trooper.

"All of the evidence, including the officer's statements and the on-board police car video, confirms he was acting in self-defense," Schafer added. "It was overwhelming and there was no question in this matter."